Portable Cot

ABSTRACT

A portable cot includes a framework that supports a pliant support member in a suspended position above a ground surface. The framework comprises a plurality of rib members, each of which may be moved between a contracted position which slackens the pliant support member and an expanded position which draws the pliant member tight for supporting a user on the pliant member in normal use of the cot. Each rib member extends across a width of the cot. The rib members are spaced in intervals along a longitudinal length of the cot. A rib member may have first and second portions that may be moved to the expanded position and may be locked in the expanded position, or unlocked to move the rib member to the contracted position.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/757,843, filed Nov. 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a portable cot. The cot includes a pliant support member and framework that supports the pliant support member in a suspended position above a ground surface or a floor. The framework comprises a plurality of rib members, each of which may be moved between a contracted position which slackens the pliant support member and an expanded position which draws the pliant member tight for supporting a user on the pliant member in normal use of the cot. Each rib member extends across a width of the cot. The rib members are spaced in intervals along a longitudinal length of the cot. A rib member may have first and second portions that may be moved to the expanded position and may be locked in the expanded position, or unlocked to move the rib member to the contracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary portable cot, showing the pliant support member and framework comprising opposite longitudinal support members and spaced apart rib members all disassembled.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the portable cot of FIG. 1 with the longitudinal support members installed in marginal side edge sleeves of the pliant support member and the spaced apart rib members in position to be joined to the longitudinal support members.

FIG. 3 is perspective of the portable cot of FIG. 1 assembled.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of an exemplary rib member being moved from a contracted position to an expanded position.

FIG. 5 shows an end view of an exemplary rib member in a further progression from the rib member of FIG. 4 as the rib member is moved from the contracted position to the expanded position.

FIG. 6 shows an end view of an exemplary rib member in a further progression from the rib member of FIG. 5 as the rib member is moved to an expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a portable cot 10. The cot includes a pliant support member 12 and a framework 14 that supports the pliant support member in a suspended position above a ground surface or a floor. The framework 14 may comprise a plurality of rib members 16 and may further comprise longitudinal support members 18. The longitudinal support members 18 may be removably attached to the pliant member 12, or the longitudinal support members may be more permanently attached to the pliant support member. In one example as shown, the pliant support member 12 has longitudinal edges spaced apart across a width of the pliant support member. The pliant support member 12 may have a first sleeve on one longitudinal edge that is adapted and configured to receive one of the longitudinal support members 18. The pliant support member 12 may have a second sleeve on the opposite longitudinal edge that is adapted and configured to receive another of the longitudinal support members 18. The sleeves may allow the longitudinal support members to be removed therefrom, or the sleeves may hold the longitudinal support members captive therein. Each rib member 16 extends across a width of the cot. The rib members are spaced in intervals along a longitudinal length of the cot and operatively releasably attach to the pliant member. Such releasable attachment may be to the longitudinal support member 18 as the longitudinal support member is removably received in the sleeve of the pliant member as discussed below. In the alternative, such releasable attachment may be to the longitudinal edge of the pliant support member 12 as the longitudinal edge of the pliant support member is sufficiently rigid and similar to the longitudinal support member 18.

Preferably, although not necessary, one or more of the rib members 16 in the plurality of rib members may be configured in a like way, for instance, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. As shown in the drawings, the rib member 16 comprises a first portion 20 movable relative to a second portion 22 between an expanded position and contracted position. In one embodiment, the first portion 20 may be pivotally connected to the second portion 22 with a pivot 24 and linkage 26. In an alternate embodiment, the first portion may be interlocked with the second portion in the expanded position and disassembled from the second portion in the contracted position. For instance, the pivot connection 24 and linkage 26 may have a snap fit or quick acting locking pin (e.g. cotter pin) connection to provide a removable pivot connection allowing the first portion to be assembled with the second portion in setting up the cot for use while allowing the second portion to be disassembled from the first portion in folding up the cot for storage. The connection may also be in the form of a box and collar which allows the end of one of the first portion and second portion to be inserted in the box and collar, pivoted, and then locked into position relative to the other of the first portion and the second portion.

Each rib member may include a lock 28. The lock 28 may be configured to move between a locked portion and an unlocked position. In the locked position of the lock 28, relative movement of the first portion 20 and the second portion 22 is prevented, whereas the unlocked position of the lock, movement of the first portion relative to the second portion is enabled. The lock may prevent relative motion, for instance, pivoting motion, of the rib member first portion relative to the rib member second portion in the locked position. The lock may be adapted and configured to slide on both of the first portion and the second portion in the locked position of the lock. The lock may be adapted and configured to slide on one of the first portion and the second portion in the unlocked position of the lock. For instance, as shown in the drawings, the lock 28 is configured for constrained sliding on the first portion 20 between the locked and unlocked positions so that in the expanded position of the second portion 22 relative to the first portion 20, the lock is configured to engage both the first portion and second portion to prevent relative movement therebetween. The lock may include a position limiter to maintain the lock in the locked position engaging both the first portion and second portion and holding the first portion and the second portion in the expanded position. The position limiter may be released to unlock the lock and enable the first portion and the second portion to be moved to the contracted position. The position limiter may include a spring loaded button on one of the first and second portion that is biased to engage a hole in the lock when the lock is in the locked position and depressable to disengage from the hole in the lock and allow the lock to slide to the unlocked position. A locking lever on the lock may also be used to lock the lock in the locked position and unlock the lock to move the lock to the unlocked position.

The rib member first portion 20 has an upstanding region 30 and a horizontal region 32. The rib member second portion 22 has an upstanding region 36 and a horizontal region 38. As shown in the drawings, the rib member first portion horizontal region 32 has the linkage 26 that extends to the pivot connection 24, and the pin or axis of pivot extends through the rib member second portion horizontal region 38. On the rib member second portion 22, the pivot connection 24 and the axis of pivot may be adjacent to the transition of the rib member second portion horizontal region 38 to the rib member second portion upstanding region 36. On the rib member first portion, the linkage 26 and pivot connection 24 may be adjacent to the distal end of the rib member first portion horizontal region 32.

As shown in the drawings, the pivot connection 24 allows the rib member first portion 20 to pivot relative to the rib member second portion 24 between the contracted position and the expanded position of the rib member 16. Referring to FIG. 4, in the contracted position of the rib member 16, the second portion horizontal region 38 is angled away from the first portion horizontal region 32, and the distal end of the first portion upstanding region 30 is at a first distance to the distal end of the second portion upstanding region 36. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the extended position of the rib member 16, the first portion horizontal region 32 is parallel and adjacent to the second portion horizontal region 38 and the distal end of the first portion upstanding region 30 is at a second distance to the distal end of the second portion upstanding region 32 where the second distance is greater than the first distance. With the pliant member 12 attached to the rib member 16, in the expanded position, the pliant member may be drawn tightly across its width vis-à-vis the rib member. Likewise, with the pliant member 12 attached to the rib member 16, in the contracted position, the pliant member may be slackened across its width vis-à-vis the rib member.

The first and second longitudinal side edges of the pliant support member may be adapted and configured to releasably engage with a distal end of the upstanding region of each rib member. In one example, the distal end of the upstanding region of each rib member may engage a respective first and second longitudinal support member with the longitudinal support member removably received in the respective sleeve of the pliant support member. In another example, the first and second longitudinal side edges of the pliant support member may be sufficiently rigid, and a distal end of the upstanding region of each rib member may engage a respective first and second longitudinal edge of the pliant support member. When the cot is set-up in a normal configuration with the rib members in an extended position, the respective distal ends of the rib member first and second portion upstanding regions 30,36 allow the longitudinal edges of the pliant support member 12 to be spaced apart and drawn taut. When the cot is placed in the contracted configuration with the rib members in a contracted position, the respective distal ends of the rib member first and second portion upstanding region allow the longitudinal edges of the pliant support member 12 to be spaced apart less than in the extended position thereby slackening the pliant support member and allowing disassembly of the portable cot.

In the configuration where the pliant support member 12 has sleeves on its opposite marginal sides that removably receive the longitudinal support members 18 therein, the pliant support member may have one or more cut outs 50 in the sleeve on the pliant support member marginal sides to allow access to the longitudinal support member through the cut out and allow the distal ends of the upstanding regions 30,36 of the first and second portions of the rib member 16 to engage the longitudinal support member without interference from the sleeve. The cut-out may also be provided so that the distal ends of the upstanding regions 30,36 of the first and second portions of the rib member 16 may releasably engage rigid supports at the respective longitudinal edges of the pliant support member without interference from the pliant support member.

In one example, the distal end of the upstanding portion 30,36 of each rib member 16 may have a clip 60. The clip may be resilient and allow the distal end of the upstanding portion 30,36 to releasably engage with the longitudinal support member 18 or the rigid longitudinal edge of the pliant support member 12, as the case may be. The clip 60 may extend through the cut-out 50 in the pliant member 12 to allow the distal end of the upstanding portion 30,36 of each rib member 16 to releasably engage with the respective longitudinal support member. The clip 60 may be sized to engage around a portion of the periphery, the longitudinal support member or the rigid longitudinal edge of the pliant support member 12, as the case may be. The longitudinal support member 18 or the rigid longitudinal edge of the pliant support member 12, as the case may be, may have a round cross-section. The clip 60 may have a c-shaped cross-section so as to allow the longitudinal support member 18 or the rigid longitudinal edge of the pliant support member 12 to be received in an inner diameter portion of the c-shaped clip. The distal end of the upstanding region 30 of the first portion 20 of the rib member 16 may be provided with a clip 60 that releasably engages one longitudinal support member 18, and the distal end of the upstanding region 36 of the second portion 22 of the rib member may be provided with a similarly configured clip that releasably engages the opposite longitudinal support member.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in arranging the cot for normal use, the pliant member may be arranged longitudinally about the framework 14. The longitudinal support member 18 may be inserted in the sleeves on the marginal side edges of the pliant support member 12. The plurality of rib members 16 may be arranged in a longitudinally spaced apart arrangement in the general area to engage the longitudinal support members 18. The upstanding region 30 of the first portion 20 of the rib member 16 may be extended through the cut out 50 in the pliant member 12 so that the clip 60 engages the longitudinal support member 18 in the cut-out. This step may be repeated for each like configured rib member 16 along the length of the cot.

Then, with the rib member 16 in the contracted position, the distal end of the upstanding region 36 of the rib member second portion 22 may be extended through the cut-out 50 in the pliant member 12 so that the clip 60 engages the opposite longitudinal support member 18 in the cut-out. This step may be repeated for each rib member along the length of the cot.

Then, the rib member 16 may be moved from the contracted position to the extended position by pivoting the second portion 22 of the rib member relative to the first portion 20. This moves the clips 60 on the distal ends of the respective upper portions 30,36 of the first and second portions 20,22 away from each other and tightens the pliant member 12 with the longitudinal support members 18 moving away from each other in the sleeves in the marginal edges of the pliant support member. As the rib member second portion 22 pivots relative to the rib member first portion 20, the horizontal region 38 of the rib member second portion is brought parallel and adjacent to the horizontal region 32 of the rib member first portion 20. With the horizontal regions 32,38 of the first and second portions 20,22 of the rib member parallel and adjacent to each other, the lock 28 may be slid into position to lock the first and second portions of the rib member together and to keep the pliant member tightly drawn outward thereby providing support for the cot. Any force applied to the pliant support member top surface which tends to move the clips 60 on the distal ends of the upstanding regions of the first and second portions of the rib members toward each other may be countered by the lock 28 and rib member 16 resting on the ground surface. To collapse the cot for storage, the process in reverse may be performed.

Further embodiments can be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above-disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The example arrangements of components are shown for purposes of illustration and it should be understood that combinations, additions, re-arrangements, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Thus, various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable cot comprising: first and second longitudinal support members; and a plurality of rib members, at least one rib member in the plurality of rib members comprising: a first portion with a upstanding region in normal use of the portable cot and a horizontal region in normal use of the portable cot, the first portion upstanding region having a distal end adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the first longitudinal support member; a second portion with a upstanding region in normal use of the portable cot and a horizontal region in normal use of the portable cot, the second portion upstanding region having a distal end adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the second longitudinal support member; wherein the first portion is movable relative to the second portion between an expanded position and a contracted position, in the contracted position, the first portion is moved relative to the second portion such that the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion is spaced apart from the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion at a first distance, in the expanded position, the first portion is moved relative to the second portion in a manner such that the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion is spaced apart from the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion at a second distance, the second distance is greater than the first distance; and a lock movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position of the lock, relative movement of the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region is prevented, wherein the unlocked position of the lock, movement of the first portion horizontal region relative to the second portion horizontal region is enabled.
 2. The portable cot of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the rib member is operatively pivotally connected to the second portion of the rib member about a pivot connection.
 3. The portable cot of claim 2 wherein the pivot connection comprises a pin extending through one of the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region.
 4. The portable cot of claim 1 wherein the lock slidingly engages both the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region in the locked position of the lock.
 5. The portable cot of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion has a clip that is adapted and configured to releasably engage the first longitudinal support member.
 6. The portable cot of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion has a clip that is adapted and configured to releasably engage the second longitudinal support member.
 7. The portable cot of claim 1 wherein the first portion horizontal region is adjacent the second portion horizontal region in the expanded position of the rib member.
 8. The portable cot of claim 1 further comprising: a pliant support member having a first longitudinal edge spaced apart from a second longitudinal edge across a width of the pliant support member, the first longitudinal edge being adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the first longitudinal support member, the second longitudinal edge being adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the second longitudinal support member.
 9. The portable cot of claim 8 wherein the pliant support member has a first sleeve on the first longitudinal edge, the first sleeve is adapted and configured to receive the first longitudinal support member in releasably securing the first longitudinal edge of the pliant support member to the first longitudinal support.
 10. The portable cot of claim 9 wherein the first longitudinal edge of the pliant support member has a cut-out in the sleeve, wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion of the rib member extends through the cut-out in releasably securing the first portion of the rib member to the first longitudinal support.
 11. The portable cot of claim 8 wherein the pliant support member has a second sleeve on the second longitudinal edge, the second sleeve is adapted and configured to receive the second longitudinal support member in releasably securing the second longitudinal edge of the pliant support member to the second longitudinal support.
 12. The portable cot of claim 11 wherein the second longitudinal edge of the pliant support member has a cut-out in the sleeve, wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion of the rib member extends through the cut-out in releasably securing the second portion of the rib member to the second longitudinal support.
 13. A portable cot comprising: a pliant support member having a first longitudinal edge spaced apart from a second longitudinal edge across a width of the pliant support member; and a plurality of rib members, at least one rib member in the plurality of rib members comprising: a first portion with a upstanding region in normal use of the portable cot and a horizontal region in normal use of the portable cot, the first portion upstanding region having a distal end adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the first longitudinal edge of the pliant support member; a second portion with a upstanding region in normal use of the portable cot and a horizontal region in normal use of the portable cot, the second portion upstanding region having a distal end adapted and configured to be releasably secured to the second longitudinal edge of the pliant support member; wherein the first portion is movable relative to the second portion between an expanded position and a contracted position, in the contracted position, the first portion is moved relative to the second portion such that the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion is spaced apart from the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion at a first distance, in the expanded position, the first portion is moved relative to the second portion in a manner such that the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion is spaced apart from the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion at a second distance, the second distance is greater than the first distance; a lock movable between a locked portion and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position of the lock, relative movement of the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region is prevented, wherein the unlocked position of the lock, movement of the first portion horizontal region relative to the second portion horizontal region about the pivot connection is enabled.
 14. The portable cot of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the rib member is operatively pivotally connected to the second portion of the rib member about a pivot connection.
 15. The portable cot of claim 14 wherein the pivot connection comprises a pin extending through one of the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region.
 16. The portable cot of claim 14 wherein the first portion horizontal region is angled away from the second portion horizontal region in the contracted position of the rib member.
 17. The portable cot of claim 13 wherein the lock is adapted and configured to slidingly engage both the first portion horizontal region and the second portion horizontal region in the locked position of the lock.
 18. The portable cot of claim 13 wherein the pliant support member has a first sleeve on the first longitudinal edge, the first sleeve is adapted and configured to removably receive a first longitudinal support member.
 19. The portable cot of claim 17 wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the first portion has a clip that is adapted and configured to releasably engage the first longitudinal support member.
 20. The portable cot of claim 13 wherein the pliant support member has a second sleeve on the second longitudinal edge, the second sleeve is adapted and configured to removably receive the second longitudinal support member.
 21. The portable cot of claim 20 wherein the distal end of the upstanding region of the second portion has a clip that is adapted and configured to releasably engage the second longitudinal support member. 